Shoe bottom ironing unit



Sept. 12, 1939. 5. J. FINN SHOE BOTTOM IRONING UNIT Filed Jan. 17, 19386 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 12, 1939. 5. J. FINN 2,172,372

SHOE BOTTOM 1120mm UNIT Filed Jan. 17, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 WWW W,

Sept. 12, 1939. 5. J. FINN SHOE BOTTOM IBONING UNIT Filed Jan. 17, 19386 Sheets-Sheet 3 I I I I 4 I u I ll QFi'grZ) WI/E/FKTUH a 45L M W Sept.12, 1939,

5. J. FINN 2,172,372

SHOE BOTTOM IRONING UNIT Fi led Jan. 17, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 12,1939. s. J. FINN 2,172,372

SHOE BOTTOM IRONING UNIT I Filed Jan. 1'7, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 5Patented Sept. 12, 1939 FATENT OFFlCE SHOE BOTTOM IlK-DNING UNIT SidneyJ. Finn, Beverly,

Shoe Machinery Corporation, Paterson,

a corporation of New Mass, assignor to United N. J Jersey ApplicationJanuary 17, 1938, Serial No. 185,347

30 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for pressing the bottoms of shoes andin some aspects has more particularly in view the provision of improvedmeans for applying pressure and heat to the marginal portion of uppermaterials (hereinafter referred to inclusively as the upper) upon aninsole before the outsole is applied tothe shoe.

In the manufacture of shoes in which the upper is laid inwardly over theinsole in substantially parallel relation to the bottom of the shoe itis often the practice to subject the overlaid margin of the upper toheat and to pressure directed both heightwise of the shoe and inwardlyfrom the edge of the shoe bottom to flatten the margin or" the upperevenly and to iron it smooth on the insole without any wrinkles or othersurface irregularities before placing the outsole on the shoe. In thustreating the marginal portion of the upper it is desirable thatsubstantially uniform pressure be applied to the margin along theopposite sides of the forepart, shank and heel-end portions of the shoeso that the outsole when applied to the shoe will lie uniformly close tothe upper and insole along these different portions of the shoe bottom.Various features of the present invention are to be recognized in anovel organization of means for accomplishing that result. For thepurpose in view the machine herein sh'own is provided with heateddevices that are arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe along theopposite sides of the iorepart, shank and heel-end portions,respectively, and are relatively adjustable heightwise' of the shoe toaccommodate shoes of different styles, that is, shoes the curvature ofthe bottom faces of which vary considerably heightwise of the shoe byreason of the fact that the shoes are mounted on lasts designed toaccommodate heels of different heights. In the construction shown, thedevices or units are arranged in pairs to operate respectively on thebottom of the iorepart, shank and heel-end portions of the shoe, thedifferent pairs of units being connected together for relative rotationabout different axes extending laterally-of the shoe and the units ofeach pair being also movable simultaneously inward toward each other inwiping engagement with the overlaid margin of the upper in response toresistance of the shoe to the pressure applied. As herein illustrated,each unit comprises a holder and ashoeengaging plate of resilient metalshaped to'conform substantially to the heightwise curvature oftheportion of the shoe bottom engaged thereby, the different pairs ofresilient plates being arranged to support a shoe'placed thereon bottomdownward and the forepart and heel-engaging plates having portionscurved similarly to and overlapping the shank-engaging plates to providecontinuous engagement with the overlaid margin of the upper along theopposite sides of the bottom of the shoe from its toe to its heel-endportion. By relative adjustment of the forepart, shank and heel-endunits heightwise of the shoe the contour lengthwise of the shoe definedby the shoe-engaging plates may be Varied in accordance with variationsin the heightwise curvature of the bottoms of shoes of different styles,the different pairs of resilient plates being arranged to bend andconform themselves more closely to the contour of the shoe as thepressure is ap- 15 plied against the resistance of separate spring meansof equal capacity the yielding of which is limited to permit relativelyheavy pressure to be applied to the shoe.

The above and other features of the invention, including various noveldetails of constructions and combinations of parts, will now be moreparticularly described by reference to the accompanying drawings andpointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of the upper left-hand portion of amachine in which the in vention is embodied, with parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a view in left-hand side elevation of the portion of themachine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the shoe bottom. pressing or ironing means andparts associated therewith;

Fig. 4 is. a view partly in left-hand side elevation and partly insection showing the ironing units for engaging the bottom of theforepart, 35 shank and heel-end portions of the shoe atone side onlywith the shoe under pressure in the machine;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the ironing units shown in Fig. 4 withthe ironing members removed; and

Figs. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views through the forepart and shankironing units respectively, illustrating the positions of the parts atthe end of the ironing operation.

The invention is illustrated as applied to a machine of the typedisclosed in application for Letters Patent of the United States SerialNo. 201,790, filed April 13, 1938, in the name of A. A. Lawson, althoughit is to be understood that the invention is not limited toorganizations of that particular character. The machine is provided witha base 20 to which there is secured by screws 22 (Fig. 2) a bracket 2for supporting a pair of vertical rods 26 which support adjustably near55 their upper ends a crosshead (not herein shown) on which there isadjustably mounted for movements in directions lengthwise of the shoe acarrier having depending arms 28, one of which is shown in Fig. 4,carrying a laterally extending rod 38 on which there is mounted a shoesupport or jack which is substantially like that fully shown anddescribed in Letters Patent No. 2,095,245, granted on October 12, 1937,on an application of mine, this jack serving to support the shoe againstpressure applied on its bottom face. The jack comprises a shoe rest 32(Fig. 4) for engaging the shoe at the top of the forepart and a heel-endsupport 34 which engages the top of the cone of the last. In order tohold the shoe effectively against tipping movement laterally of the shoeas pressure is applied to its bottom face the heel support 34 includesthe last pin 36 arranged to extend into thespindle hole in the heel endof the last. The shoe rest 32 comprises a leather covered pad 38 ofrubber or other suitable material which is hollowed out laterally of theshoe and is mounted on a block 40 adjustably secured to a second block42 mounted for sliding movements in directions lengthwise of the shoe ona rocking member 44. The member 44 is mounted on the rod 30 supported bythe depending spaced arms 28 of the above-mentioned carrier, the rod 30extending through an elongated slot 43 in the member 44. Pivotallymounted on the block 42 is a spring controlled latch 46 arranged toengage any one of a series of recesses 48 formed in the member 44 tohold the block 42 in adjusted position lengthwise of the shoe. Formed onthe block 42 is a dovetail-shaped tongue 50 extending laterally of theshoe and arranged to enter a similarly shaped groove in the block 48.The block 40 is held in adjusted position laterally of the shoe on theblock 42 by means of set screws 52 carried by the block 40 and arrangedto engage the tongue 50, lock nuts 54 being provided for holding the setscrews in looking engagement with the tongue. It will be readily seenthat the above construction permits the shoe rest 32 to be adjusted indirections both lengthwise and widthwise of the shoe as required forshoes of different sizes and styles.

The heel-end support 34 for engaging the top of the cone of the last isfreely movable in directions widthwise of the shoe along guidewaysformed in a holder 56, a screw 58 in the holder being provided forlimiting such movement of the heel-end support relatively to the holder.For permitting free swinging movements of the holder 56 in directionslengthwise and heightwise of the shoe, there are pivotally connected tothe opposite sides of the holder equal links 60 the ends of which remotefrom the holder are pivotally connected to a pair of equal links 62pivotally mounted one on each side of the member 44 on a pin 64 carriedby this rocking member (Fig. 4). Normally the links 60, 62, are held ina substantially straightened condition by springs 66 only one of whichis shown in Fig. 4 with the links 62 in engagement with the opposite endportions of a pin 68 carried by the member 44 and with the holder 56 inengagement with the loop-shaped end of a rod 10 projecting from one endof the member 44. As more fully disclosed in the above-mentioned LettersPatent No. 2,095,245, the rocking member 44 is held normally in asubstantially horizontal position with the heel pin 38 substantiallyvertical by means of a chain 12 connected by a spring (not herein shown)to the above-mentioned crosshead.

impart upward movement to the slide '14 by power through fluid pressuremeans not herein shown since it is fully disclosed in theabove-mentioned application Serial No. 201,790. Slidingly mounted on therods 26 above the slide I4 is a casting 84 supported by a spring 86which is arranged to yield in response to resistance of the shoe to thepressure applied. At its lower end the spring 86 engages a shoulder 88formed within a central recess 80 in theslide I4 and at its upper endthe spring engages a shoulder 92 within a recess 94 in the casting 84 invertical alinement with the central recess 90. Initially the spring 86is under slight tension and acts to hold the casting 84 in spacedrelation to the slide I4 determined by the efiective length of a bolt 96which is carried by the casting 84 and extends downwardly through anopening in the slide 14, the head 98 of the bolt engaging a shoulder I00on the casting 84 and a nut I02 threaded on the opposite end of the boltengaging a finished surface I04 on the slide 14.

The casting 84 serves to support shoe bottom pressing or ironing devicesarranged to engage the bottom of the shoe along the opposite sides ofits forepart, shank and heel-end portions. As.

more particularly hereinafter, described, the pressing devices arerelatively adjustable height- Wise of the shoe to accommodate shoes ofdifferent styles and as herein illustrated the devices or units arearranged in pairs to act respectively on the bottom of the forepart,shank and heelend portions of the shoe. The ironing units for engagingthe lasted margin of the upper at the opposite sides of the forepart,each comprising a holder I06 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4), are pivotally andslidably mounted upon a shaft I08 supported by upwardly extending arms II0 and bosses II2 on the casting 84, the shaft extending through a bossII4 formed on each of the holders I06 (Fig. 1). Formed also on each ofthe holders I06 is a boss II 6 which is slotted to receive a bushing II8on the shaft I08 and is counterbored to receive the head I20 of thebushing. Secured to each holder I06 by screws I22 (Fig. 6) is a thinshoe-engaging plate I24 of resilient metal and a relatively thickresilient metal plate I26 for supporting the plate I24, these platesbeing mounted in superposed contiguous relation and being shapedsubstantially to conform to the lengthwise curvature of the bottom ofthe forepart of a shoe. Extending outwardly fromthe inner edge of theplate I26 in directions substantially normal to the edge curvature ofthe forepart of a shoe are a plurality of slots I 28 which divide theplate into a series of fingers I 30 (Fig. 3). The outer edges of theplates I24, I26 engage a shoulder I32 on the holder I06 and secured tothe holder by screws I34 is a member I36 having curved ribs I38, I 40formed thereon for limiting the down-ward movement of the fingers I30,the rib I40 being arranged to engage the inner end portions of thespring fingers I 30 with the rib I38 in engagement with the downwardlybent fingers I30 at the toe end in locations beyond the outer. edge ofthe last bottom.

Each heel-end ironing unit comprises a holder I 42 (Fig. 4) slidablymounted upon a support I 44 holder I42 by screwsl52is a thinshoe-engaging plate I54 of resilient metal and a relatively thickresilient metal plate I56 which acts as a support for the plate I54, theplates I54 and I56 being substantially flat for engagement with thelasted margin of the upper along the sides of the heel-end portion ofthe shoe bottom. Extending outwardly from one edge of the plate I56 indirections substantially normal to the edge curvature of the heel end ofthe shoe are a plurality of slots I58 which divide the plate into aseries of fingers I69 downward movement of which is limited by aforwardly extending plate I62 underlying the inner end portions of thefingers I69 and secured to the holder I42 by screws I64. At their outeredges the plates I54, I56 engage a shoulder I66 on the holder I42.Overlying the plate I52 and arranged to engage the lasted margin of theupper at the extreme rear end portion of the shoe is a thin flexibleresilient plate I68 secured by screws I19 to an upwardly extendingmember I12. The member I12 is fastened to the end face of the pivotedsupport I44 by screws I14 (Fig. 1) which serve also to secure to the endface of the support an inverted substantially L-shaped member I16 (Fig.4) the forwardly extending portion I18 of which is arranged to engagethe holders I42 of the heelend ironing units in laterally extendingslots I89 formed in the holders.

The shank ironing units each comprises a holder I82 (Fig. 5) havingformed thereon bosses I84, I86 bored to receive pivot pins I85, I81(Fig. 2) carried by bosses I88, I99 formed respectively on the holdersI96, I42 of the forepart and heelend ironing units, the bosses I88, I99being counterbored to receive the heads of the pivot pins and set screwsI92, I94 being provided for holding the pins I85, I81 against endwisemovement in the bosses. Formed on each holder I82 are curved surfacesI96, I98 (Figs. 4 and 5) arranged to engage similarly curved seats 299,292 formed respectively on the holders I96 and I42, the curved surfaceI96 and its seat 299' being concentric with the axis of the pin I85 andcurved surface I98 and its seat 292 being concentric with the axis ofthe pin- I81. The holder I82 has also formed thereon a plurality of flatsurfaces 294 (Fig. 4) on which rest a plurality of U-shaped springs 286the inner end portions of which are held in spaced relation by pins 298(Fig. 7) extending upwardly from the holder I82 and through the lowerarms of the U-shaped springs 296. Surrounding each of the pins 298between the lower and upper arms of each of the U- shaped springs is acompression spring 2I9. At their outer closed ends the U-shaped springsare held in spaced relation by fingers 2I2 formed on a member 2 I4secured to the holder I82 by screws 2I6. Overlying the U-shaped springs296 is a thin shoe-engaging plate 2I8 of resilient metal shaped toconform substantially to the lengthwise curvature of the shank portionof the shoe. The plate 2l8 is fastened by rivets 229 to the inwardlyextending arms 222 of a spring clip 224 having an upwardly bent centralportion 226 through which extends a shouldered screw 228 threaded intothe holder I82 (Fig. 7) Near its inner end each U-shaped spring 206 hasprojecting upwardly from its lower arm a shouldered pin 239 riveted tothe lower arm and arranged by engagement with the upper arm of theU-shaped spring to limit downward bending of the inner portion of theshoe-engaging plate 2l8.

In the illustrated construction, the shoe-engaging plate I24 of eachforepart unit extends somewhat heelwardly of the junction of theforepart and shank portions of the shoe, the heelwardly extendingportion 232 (Fig. 3) of the plate I24 being curved similarly to andoverlying the shank ironing plate 2l8. Overlying the shank ironing plate2I8 at its rear end is the toewardly projecting portion 234 of theheelend ironing plate I54, this projecting portion being also curvedsimilarly to the shank ironing plate. As herein shown, the forepart,shank and heel-end ironing units for engaging the lasted margin of theupper at the opposite sides of the shoe bottom are mounted on thecasting 84 between side plates 236 each of which is provided at itsforward end with a depending portion 238 (Fig 2) which is slotted toreceive the bushing H8 and is counterbored to receive a head 249 formedon the outer end of the bushing Extending through an elongated slot 242in each side plate 236 is a shouldered screw 244 threaded into theholder I42 of the heel-end ironing unit, a washer 246 being providedbetween the head of the screw and the side plate. By reason of theiroverlapping relation the ironing plates I24, 2I8 and I54 of theforepart, shank and heel-end units are arranged to engage the lastedmargin of the upper along the opposite sides of the shoe bottomcontinuously from its toe to its heel-end portion, the flexible plate168 engaging the lasted margin of the upper at the extreme rear endportion of the shoe. The ironing plates I24, 2I8 and I54 are long enoughto accommodate shoes of different sizes and preferably the ironingplates I24 of the forepart units are shaped to conform nearly to thelateral curvature of the bottom of the forepart of the'shoe.

In order to accommodate shoes of different styles, that is, shoemountedupon lasts designed to accommodate heels of different heights, means isprovided, which will now be described, for relatively adjusting theforepart, shank and heel-end units hei-ghtwise of the shoe to vary thelengthwise contour of the ironing plates I24, 2 I8 and I54 in accordancewith variations in the lengthwise curvature of the bottom faces of shoesof different styles. As shown, particularly in Fig. 2, the holder I96 ofone of the forepart ironing units is provided with a circular seat forthe ball-shaped upper end of a rod 248 which is threaded into a sleeve259 recessed to receive a projection 252 formed on a rod 254 (Fig. 2)which extends downwardly through an enlarged opening 256 in a laterallyextending shaft 258 supported by depending ears 269 on the casting 84.The ball-shaped end of the rod 248 is held in engagement with its seatby means of a' plate 262 secured to the holder I96 by screws 264 (Fig.4). The rod 254 is pinned to the sleeve 259 (Fig. 2) and has a curvedshouldered portion 266 engaging a similarly shaped seat formed on theshaft 258. Pinned to the rod 254 is a collar 268 engaging a flat surface219 on the shaft 258. Surrounding the rod 254 between a flange 212formed on a hand wheel 214 pinned to the lower end of the rod and theflat surface 219 is a compression spring 216 which acts to hold the rod254 frictionally against free turning movement. Formed on the holder I96 to which the rod 248 is connected are laterally extending projections218 (Fig. 5) arranged to engage finished surfaces on the bottom face ofthe holder I96 of the forepart ironing unit that engages the lastedmargin of the upper at the opposite side of the shoe bottom. It will beevident that-by rotation of the hand wheel 214 the forepart holders I86may be swung about the axis of the shaft I88 to lower or raise the pivotpins I85. As the pivot pins I85 are thus raised or lowered the forepartand shank holders I86, I82 are rotated relatively to one another aboutthe axis of the pins I85 to vary the angle between the ironing platesI24 of the forepart units and the ironing plates 2I8 of the shank unitsand thus to vary the contour defined by the plates I24, 2I8 and I54lengthwise of the shoe in accordance with variations in the heightwisecurvature of the bottoms of shoesmounted upon lasts designed toaccommodate heels of different heights. For the convenience of theoperator there is pivotally connected to the casting 84 a pointer 288(Fig. 2) which is arranged to cooperate with a scale 282 on anarc-shaped member 284 fastened to the casting 84 and to indicate thedifferent adjusted positions of the forepart ironing units in operatingupon shoes mounted upon lasts designed to carry heels of differentheights, the pointer being swung as the forepart units are adjusted bymeans of an arm 286 connected to one of the holders I86 by 'a screw 288extending through an elongated slot 298 in the arm. It will beunderstood that as the forepart units are thus adjusted the shank andheel-end units may move lengthwise of the shoe by reason of theslottedconnection between the holders I42 of the heel-end units and the memberI16. In order that the shank and heelend ironing units may be adjustedrelatively to the forepart units as may be necessary in operating uponshoes designed to carry comparatively high heels, there is connected tothe support I44, on which rest the heel-end ironing units, a rod 292(Figs. 1 and 2) which extends downwardly through a central bore in ashaft 294 supported by depending ears 296 on the casting 84. The rod 292is threaded into a yoke 298 which extends through an enlarged opening inthe plate I48 and is pivotally connected at 295 to the support I44. Therod 292 is held against endwise movement relatively to the shaft 294 bymeans of a collar 388 formed on the rod and engaging a flat surface 382on the shaft and a collar 384 pinned to the rod and engaging a fiatsurface 386 formed on the opposide side of the shaft. Pinned to thelower end portion of the rod 292 is a hand wheel 388 for turning it andsurrounding the rod between a flange 3I8 on the hand wheel and the fiatsurface 386 on the shaft 294 is a compression spring 3I2 which tendsfrictionally to hold the hand wheel against turning movement. It will beunderstood that by turning the hand wheel 388 the support I44 may beswung about its pivot to vary the angle between the heel-end ironingplates I54 and the shank-ironing plates 2I8. As the support I44 is thusswung the pivot pins I81 are raised or lowered to move the shank ironingunits relatively to the forepart ironing units to give the ironingplates I 24, 2I8 and I54 the required pronounced longitudinal contour. Apointer 3I5 secured to the plate I48 by screws 3I1 (Figs. 2 and 4) andcooperating with a scale 3I9 on the member I16 indicates differentadjusted positions of the heel-end ironing units.

Each side plate. 236 is formed integral with a pair of slides 3I4 (Figs.1 and 3) mounted in guideways 3I6 formed in the casting 84, each slidebeing held in its guideway by a cover plate 3I8 fastened to the casting84 by screws 328. arranged. to engage each slide 3I4 in a recess men 322formed in the slide is the rounded upper end of one arm 324 of abell-crank lever 326,the

units are held in their outermost positions by the side plates 236 andthe above-described connections to the slide 14. As thus positioned, theironing plates I24, 2I8 and I54 are arranged to receive and support apreviously lasted shoe presented initially by the operator bottomdownward by engagement with the overlaid marginal portion of the upperalong the opposite sides of the shoe from the toe end to the heel end ofthe shoe, with the extreme rear end portion of the shoe'in engagementwith the plate I68. It will be understood that the lastrand shoe willhave been previously mounted on the heel pin 36 and that the holder 56will have been moved with the last and shoe as'theshoe is placedinitially on the ironing plates I24, 2I8 and I54. It will be understoodalso that in the upward movement of the slide 14 the shoe and the holder56 are first moved into engagement respectively with the shoe rest 32and with an abutment 338 formed on the member 44 before any substantialamount of pressure is applied to the bottom of the shoe and that themember 44 may rock more or less about the axis of the pin 38 to move theshoe rest 32 into engagement with the shoe or the abutment 338 intoengagement with the holder 56 as may be necessary to accommodate lastsof different heights. With the shoe rest 32 in engagement with the shoeand the abutment 338 in engagement with the holder 56, the pivotedmember 44 is moved upwardly with the last and shoe until its curvedupper edge (not herein shown) engages a correspondingly curved seat onthe previously-mentioned carrier. Thereafter the mem-' ber 44 is heldagainst further upward movement and is also held frictionally againstfurther rocking movement and in response to the pressure of the shoeupon them the plates I24, 2I8, I54 and I68 are fiexed to conform moreclosely to the contour of the shoe bottom and yield downwardly againstthe resistance of the spring fingers I38, the U-shaped springs I68.Downward yield the U-shaped springs 286 and the spring fingers I68,respectively, is limited by the curved ribs I38, I46, the pins 238 andtheplates I62, to permit relatively heavy pressure to be applied to theshoe through the spring fingers shaped springs 286. Preferably thespring fingers I38, the U-shaped springs 286 and the spring fingers I68are of substantially the same capacity so that substantially uniformpressure is applied along the opposite sides of the shoe bottom. In thecontinued upward movement of the slide 14 the. pressure of the platesI24, 2I8 and I54 on the overlaid margin of the upper is progressivelyincreased as the spring 86 is compressed until abutments 338 on theslide 14 engage abutments 348 on the casting 84. Thereafter relativelyheavy pressure is applied to the shoe in the continued upward movementof the slide 14 as fluid is supplied to the cylinder 82 to raise thepiston 88. As the spring 86 begins to yield in the upward in response tothe pressure of the ironing plates, the links 328 act to swing thebell-crank levers 326 in directions to move the side plates 236and theforepart, shank, and heelend ironing units at the opposite sides of the286 and the spring fingers of the spring fingers I38;

I38, I68 and the U-.

movement of the slide 14 shoe on the shoe toward each other, the ironingplates I 24,.

2I8 and I54 being thus moved bodily inward to iron the overlaid marginof the upper along the sides of the forepart, shank, and heel-endportions of the shoe.

In order that the ironing plates I24 of the forepart units will act onthe overlaid margin of the upper around the toe end of the shoe theinner edges of the plates when the forepart units are at their outermostpositions are substantially parallel to the longitudinal median line ofthe forepart of the shoe and are cut away rearwardly of the toe portionof the shoe topermit the toeend portions of the plates I24 to move intoengagement with each other as they complete their inward movements.Secured to the holder I06 of one of the forepart units by means of thescrews I22 is a thin flexible resilient plate 342 (Fig. 3) which extendsinwardly between the toe portion of the ironing plate I24 anditssupporting plate I26 at one side of the shoe, the inner end portion ofthe plate 342 extending also be tween the toe portion of the ironingplate I24 and its supporting plate I26 at the opposite side of the shoewhen the iorepart units are in their outermost positions. The plate 342bridges the gap between the inner edges of the toe end portions of theironing plates I24, thus aifording substantial insurance that theoverlaid margin of the upper at the extreme toe end will not be pinchedbetween the ironing plates I24 as the toe end portions of these platesare .brought together at the completion of their inward movements.Marking of the upper by the inwardly moving plates I54 at the extremeheel-end portion of the shoe is prevented by the plate I68 which asshown in Fig. 3 is supported at each side of the shoe at its forward endby a spring clip 344 fastened to the holder I42 by one of the screwsI52. In order to eliminate any possibility of marking the upper at theopposite sides of the shoe by the inwardly moving plates I24 and I54,the forward edge faces of the projections 232 on the plates I24 and therear edge faces of the projections 234 on the plates I54 as well as theforward edge faces of the plate I68 are inclined at an angle to thedirection of inward movement of the ironing plates.

In order to assist in ironing the overlasted margin of the upper freefrom Wrinkles and setting it in lasted position, the machine hereinshown is provided with means for maintaining the ironing plates in aheated condition. For this purpose there is secured to each of theholders I06, I82 and I42 at one side of the shoe, an electrical heatingdevice 346 (Figs. 4 and 5) that extends inwardly beneath the ironingplates of the unit and also beneath the ironing plates of thecorresponding unit at the opposite side of the shoe, the devices 346being connected by suitable electrical connections to any convenientsource of electrical energy for heating them. The ironing members ofeach unit are heated partly by radiation and partly by heat conductedto-them from the holders I06, I82 and I42.

It will be understood that in the use of the machine for pressing orironing the bottoms of shoes of different styles the contour of theironing plates I24, 2I8 and I54 lengthwise of the shoe may be varied inaccordance with variations in the heightwise curvature of the bottoms ofshoes of different styles by movement'of the hand wheels 214 and 308 toraise or lower the pivot pins I85 and I81 and thus to rotate the holdersI06, I82 and I42 relatively to one another about the axes of the pinsI85 and I81 which, as previously pointed out, are located substantiallyat the junction of the forepart and shank portions and at the junctionof the shank and heel-end portions of the shoe. In the operation of themachine the operator, after adjusting the ironing plates I24,

2! and I54 for the style of shoe to be operated upon, mounts a last andshoe on the heel pin 36, swings the holder 56 toward the shoe rest 32and also moves it heightwise of the shoe to carry the shoe bottomdownward into engagement with the ironing plates which serve to locatethe shoe properly lengthwise in the machine, the operator positioningthe shoe on the ironing plates in proper relation widthwise of themachine. In the upward movement of the slide I4 after the last and shoeand the holder 56 have been moved into engagement with the shoe rest 32and the abutment 330 and the member 44 has been locked against rockingmovement, the ironing plates I24, 2I0 and I54 at each side of the shoeare flexed to conform more closely to the contour of the shoe bottom inresponse to pressure of the shoe upon them and yield downwardly againstthe resistance of the spring fingers I30, the U-shaped springs 206, andthe spring fingers I60, until the fingers I30 engage the curved ribsI38, I40, the upper arms of the U-shaped springs 206 engage the pins 230and the fingers I60 engage the plates I62. It will be understood thatthe plate I68 yields downwardly with the plates I54 in response to.

pressure of the shoe upon it and that the plate 342 is flexed to conformto the contour of the plates I24 and also yields downwardly with theplates I24. Thereafter, or it may be during the downward yielding of thespring fingers I30 and I60 and the upper arms of the U-shaped springs206, the different pairs of heated ironing plates at the opposite sidesof the shoe are moved bodily inward over the shoe bottom in wipingengagement with the overlaid margin of the upper in response to theswinging of the bell-crank levers 326 and as they are thus movedinwardly their pressure on the lasted margin of the upper isprogressively increased as above described. As the ironing plates moveinwardly over the shoe bottom they act to tighten the upper over thebottom face of the insole along the sides of the forepart, shank andheel-end portions of the shoe and by applying progressively increasingpressure heightwise of the shoe .to the overlaid margin of the upperwhile subjecting it to the shrinking action of heat, they act to flattenthe margin of the upper evenly and to iron it smoothly on the insole,thus preparing the bottom of the shoe in the best possible manner forthe reception of the outsole in a position close to the upper andinsole. As more fully explained in the above-mentioned applicationSerial No. 201,790, as the ironing members complete their inwardmovements the overlaid margin of the upper is subjected to furtherpressure by upward movement of the piston 80, after which the shoe isheld under pressure by the movement of a valve into position to lookfluid under pressure in the cylinder 82. Thereafter the fluid isexhausted from the cylinder 82 and the slide I4 and the casting 84 bytheir own weight slide downwardly on the rods 26, thereby releasing theshoe from pressure, the bell-crank levers 326 being swung in directionsto move the ironing units away from each other by the expanding of thespring 86. The slide I4 moves downwardlly upon the rods 26 until aflange 348 (Fig. l) on the slide engages the upper surface 350 of thecylinder 82, springs 352 surrounding links 354 pivotally connected tothe bracket 24 one at each side of the cylinder 82 yielding somewhatunder the weight of the .parts to permit this. The springs 352 bear attheir lower ends against Washers B engaging finished surfaces 358 onthe'bracket 24, washers 360 being provided between the upper ends of thesprings land the, bracket 14. The links 354 are provided with elongatedslots 362 through which extend pins 364 carried by the slide 14, thepins 364 engaging the links at the upper ends of the slots 362 to limitupward movement of the slide 14 and the piston 80 if the machine isoperated with no shoe in the machine. e V

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters'Patent of the United States'is:

1. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination withmeans for support ing a shoe against pressure applied on its bottomface, of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe afterlasting but before anjoutsole is applied to the shoe comprising heateddevices arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe along the oppositesides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, saiddevices being relatively adjustable heightwise of the shoe toaccommodate shoes of different styles.

'2. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination withmeans for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face,of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lastingbut before an outsole is applied to the shoe comprising different pairsof devices arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe along the oppositesides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, saiddifferent pairs of devices being relatively adjustable heightwise of theshoe to accommodate shoes of different styles, and means for moving saiddifferent pairs of devices inwardly over the bottom of the shoe inwiping engage ment with the shoe bottom in response to resistance of theshoe to the pressure applied.

3. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination withmeans for support inga shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face,of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lastingbut before an outsole is applied to the shoe comprising differentpressing members of resilient metal arranged to support a shoe placedinitially thereon bottom downward by engagement with the bottom of theshoe along the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-endportions respectively, said different pressing members being relativelyadjustable heightwise of the shoe to accommodate shoes of differentstyles, and each being flexibly conformable to the contour of theportion of the shoe bottom engaged thereby in response to pressure ofthe shoe thereon.

4. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the'combination withmeans for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face,of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lastingbut before an 'outsole is applied to the shoe comprising differentmembers of resilient metal arranged to engage the bottom of the shoealong the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portionsrespectively, the members acting on the forepart, shank and heel-endportionsof the bottom of the shoe being mounted in overlapping relationlengthwise of the shoe, and said different members being relativelyadjustable heightwise of the shoe to accommodate shoes of differentstyles.

5. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes; the combination withmeans for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face,of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lastingbut before an outsole is'applied to the shoe comprising different pairsof resilient metal plates arranged to support a shoe placed initiallythereon bottom downward by engagement with the bottom of the shoe alongthe opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portionsrespectively, said different pairs of plates being relatively adjustableheightwise of the shoe to accommodate shoes of different styles, meansfor moving said different pairs of plates inwardly toward each other inresponse it;

6. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination withmeans for support-i ing a shoe against pressure applied on its bottomface, of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe afterlasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe comprisingdifferent pairs of members movable inwardly toward each other inwiping'contact with the lasted margin of the upper at the opposite sidesof the forepart/shank and heel-end portions of the shoe bottomrespectively, the members of each pair being shaped substantially toconform to the heightwise curvature of the portion of the shoe bottomengaged thereby, and said forepart and heel-end engaging members havingportions overlapping said shank-engaging members to provide continuousengagement with the lasted margin of the upper at each side of the shoesubstantially from its toe to its heel-end portion, and means forheating said members.

7. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of='-"'- shoes, the combinationwith means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottomface, of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe afterlasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe comprising(iiiferent pairs of resilient metal plates arranged to engage the bottomof the shoe along the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-endportions respectively, the metal plates at each side of the shoe beingmounted in overlapping relation and each being flexibly conformable tothe contour of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe thereon,means for heating said different pairsof metal plates, and means formoving them simultaneously inward toward each shoe at the opposite sidesof its forepart, shank" and heel-end portions respectively, saiddifferent pairs of plates being shaped respectively to conformsubstantially to the heightwise curvatures of the forepart, shank andheel-end portions of the bottom of a shoejand members connected together for tipping movements about axes extending laterally of theshoefor relatively adjusting said different pairs of plates heightwiseof the shoeto vary their contour lengthwise of the shoe in accordancewith variations in the heightwise curvature of the bottoms of shoes ofdifferent styles.

9. In a machine for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe afterlasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe, the combinationwith means for supporting a'shoe against pressure applied on its bottomface, of pressure-applying means comprising metal plates arranged toengage the bottom of the shoe at the opposite sides of its forepart,shank and heel-end portions respectively, and means for tipping theforepart plates about an axis extending laterally of the shoe and foreffecting simultaneously a movement of adjustment of said shank-engagingplates to vary the angle between said forepart and shank-engaging platesto accommodate shoes of different styles.

10. In a machine for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe afterlasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe, the combinationwith means for supporting a shoe against pressure ap plied on its bottomface, of pressure applying means comprising different pairs of resilientmetal plates arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe at the oppositesides of the forepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, saiddifferent pairs of plates being shaped respectively to conformsubstantially to the heightwise curvatures of the forepart, shank andheel-end portions of the bottom of a shoe, means for tipping theforepart plates about an axis extending laterally of the shoe and foreffecting simultaneously a movement of adjustment of said shank-engagingplates to vary the angle between said forepart and shank-engaging platesto accommodate shoes of different styles, and a scale for indicatingdifferent adjusted positions of said forepart and shankengaging platesin operating upon shoes of different styles.

11. In a machine for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe afterlasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe, the combinationwith means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottomface, of pressure-applying means comprising different pairs of resilientmetal plates arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe at the oppositesides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, saiddifferent pairs of plates being shaped respectively to conformsubstantially to the heightwise curvatures of the forepart, shank andheel-end portions of the bottom of a shoe, and means for relativelyrotating the forepart and shank-engaging plates about an axis extendinglaterally of the shoe to vary the contour defined by said plateslengthwise of the shoe in accordance with variations in the heightwisecurvature of the bottoms of shoes mounted on lasts designed toaccommodate heels of different heights.

12. In a machine for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe afterlasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe, the combinationwith means for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottomface, of pressure-applying means comprising resilient metal platesarranged to engage the bottom of the shoe at the opposite sidesof itsforepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, and means forrelatively rotating said different pairs of plates about different axesextending laterally of the shoe and located substantially at thejunction of the forepart and shank portions and at the junction of theshank and heel-end portions'of the shoe to vary the contour defined bysaid plates lengthwise of the shoe in accordance with variations in theheightwise curvature of the bottoms of shoes of different styles.

13. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination withmeans for supporting a shoe against pressure applied onv its bottomface, of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe afterlasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe comprising asupport, different pairs of resilient metal plates mounted on saidsupport and arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe along the oppositesides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portions respectively, saidplate support and the shoe support being relatively movable heightwiseof the shoe, and separate means yieldable in response to such relativemovement for forcing each of saidresillent plates into conformity to thecontour of the portion of the shoe bottom engaged thereby.

14. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination withmeans for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face,of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lastingbut before an outsole is applied to the shoe comprising different pairsof resilient metal plates arranged to support ashoe placed initiallythereon bottom downward by ens gagement with the bottom of the shoealong the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portionsrespectively, a support common to all of said plates movable heightwiseof the shoe, and separate means yieldable in response to the heightwisemovement of said support for pressing each of said resilient plates intoconformity to the contour of the portion of the shoe bottom engagedthereby.

15. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination withmeans for supporting a shoe against pressure aplied on its bottom face,of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lastingbut before an outsole is applied to the shoe comprising different pairsof resilient metal plates arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe atthe opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portionsrespectively, a movable support common to all of said plates, separatemeans yieldable heightwise of the shoe in response to the movement ofsaid support for pressing each of said resilient plates into conformityto the contour of the portion of the shoe 1 bottom engaged thereby, andmeans for limiting the yielding movements of said separate means.

16. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination withmeans for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face,

of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lastingbut before an outsole is applied to the shoe comprising different pairsof resilient metal plates arranged to support a shoe placed initiallythereon bottom downward by engagement with the bottom of the shoe alongthe opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portionsrespectively, a movable support on which said plates are mounted forrelative adjustment heightwise of the shoe to accommodate shoes ofdifferent styles, means acting on each of said plates to press it intoconformity to the contour of the bottom of the shoe in response tomovement of said support, mechanism for moving the different pairs ofplates inwardly toward each other in wiping engagement with the shoebottom, and means for progressively increasing the pressure of saidplates on the bottom-of the shoe during their inward movements.

17. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination withmeans for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face,of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lastingbut before an outsole is applied to the shoe comprising different pairsof flexible shoe-engaging plates arranged to engage the bottom of theshoe at the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-rendportions, respectively, the plates of each pair being shapedsubstantially to'conform to the heightwise curvature of the portion ofthe shoe bottom engaged thereby, and different pairs of holders forsupporting said different pairs of plates, said different pairs ofholders being relatively adjustable heightwise of the shoe to positionthe plates for use in operating upon shoes of different styles.

18. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination withmeans for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face,of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe comprisingdifferentpairs of resilient metal plates arranged to support a shoeplaced thereon bottom downward by engagement with the bottom of the shoealong the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portionsrespectively, said plates each being flexibly conformable to the contourof the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe thereon, and differentpairs of holders for supporting said different pairs of plates, saidholders being connected together for relative rotation about differentaxes extending laterally of the shoe to position the plates for use inoperating upon shoes of different styles.

19. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of 7 shoes, the combinationwith means for supporting a shoe against pressure app-lied on its bottomface, of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe afterlasting but before an outsole is applied to the shoe comprisingdifferent pairs of resilient metal plates arranged to engage the bottomof the shoe at the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-endportions, respectively,

the plates of each pair being shaped substantially to conform to theheightwise curvature of the portion of the shoe bottom engaged thereby,and different pairs of holders for supporting said plates, saiddifferent pairs of holders being connected together for relativemovement about different axes extending laterally of the shoe andlocated substantially at the junction of the forepart and shank portionsand at the junction of the shank and heel-end portions of the shoe toposition the plates for use in operating on shoes mounted upon lastsdesigned to accommodate heels of different heights.

20. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination withmeans for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face,of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lastingbut before an outsole is applied to the shoe comprising different pairsof resilient metal plates arranged to engage the bottom of the shoe atthe opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portionsrespectively, the plates of each pair being shaped substantially toconform to the heightwise curvature of the portion of the shoe bottomengaged thereby,

different pairs of holders for said plates, said diflerent pairs ofholders being connected to-- gather for relative rotation aboutdifferent axes extending laterally of the shoe to position the platesfor use in operating upon shoes of different styles, a support on whichsaid' holders are mounted for movements in directions laterally of "theshoe, and mechanism for moving the holders at the opposite sides of theshoe simultaneously toward each other to impart bodily inward movementsto said plates in response to resistance of the shoe to the pressureapplied.

21. In a machine for applying pressure to the bottoms of shoes afterlasting, the combination with means for supporting a shoe againstpressure applied on its bottom face, of pressure-applying meanscomprising different pairs of pressing units arranged to engage thebottom of the shoe at the opposite sides of its forepart, shank andheel-end portions respectively, each of said units comprising a holderand a shoe-engaging plate of resilient metal shaped to conformsubstantially to the heightwise curvature of the portion of the shoebottom engaged thereby, means for tipping said forepart units about anaxis extending laterally of the shoe, and connections between saidforepart units and said shankengaging units for adjustingtheshank-engaging units heightwise of the shoe in response to thetipping of said forepart units to vary the contour defined by saidshoe-engaging plates lengthwise of the shoe in accordance withvariations in pairs of pressing units arranged to engage the bottom ofthe shoe at the opposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-endportions respectively, said units each comprising a holder and ashoe-engaging plate of resilient metal shaped to conform substantiallyto the heightwise curvature of the portion of the shoe bottom engagedthereby, pivot pins extending laterally of the shoe and locatedsubstantially at the junction of the forepart and shank portions of theshoe for connecting theholders of said forepart and V shank pressingunits, and means for raising or lowering said pivot pins to vary thecontour lengthwise of the shoe defined by said shoe-engaging plates.

23. In a machine for pressing the bottoms of shoes, the combination withmeans for supporting a shoe against pressure applied on its bottom face,of means for applying pressure to the bottom of the shoe after lastingbut before an outsole is applied to the shoe comprising different pairsof pressing units arranged to' engage the bottom of the shoe at theopposite sides of its forepart, shank and heel-end portionsrespectively, said units each comprising aholder and a shoe-engagingplate of resilient metal shaped to conform substantially to theheightwise curvature of the portion of the shoe bottom engaged thereby,said different pairs of holders being connected together by pivot pinsextending laterally of the shoe and located substantially at the'junction of the forepart and shank portions and at the junction of theshank and heel-end portions of the shoe, and means for raising orlowering said different pairs of pivot pins independently of each otherto vary the contour lengthwise of the shoe defined by said shoe-engagingplates.

24. In means for ironing the bottoms of shoes,

different pairs of ironing units movable toward each other laterally ofa shoe to iron the bottom of the forepart, shank and heel-endportions'of 15 the shoe respectively, each unit comprising a heatedshoe-engaging plate flexibly conformable to the contour of the portionof the bottom of the shoe engaged thereby in response to pressure of theshoe thereon, and a movable support common to all of said units.

25. In means for ironing the bottoms of shoes, different pairs ofironing units arranged to operate respectively at the opposite sides ofthe forepart, shank and heel-end portions of the bottom of a shoe, andmeans for moving said different pairs of units inwardly toward eachother in response to pressure of the shoe thereon, each of said unitscomprising a shoe-engaging plate flexibly conformable to the contour ofthe shoe.

26. In means for ironing the bottoms of shoes, different pairs ofironing units arranged to operate respectively at the opposite sides ofthe forepart, shank and heel-end portions of the bottom of .a shoe, saiddifierent pairs of units being relatively adjustable heightwlse of theshoe to accommodate shoes of different styles, and means for moving saiddifferent pairs of units inwardly toward each other in response topressure of the shoe thereon, each of said units comprising a heatedshoe-engaging plate flexibly conformable to the contour of the shoe.

27. In means for ironing the bottoms of shoes, ironing units movabletoward each other laterally of a shoe to iron the overlaid marginalportion of the upper along the oposite sides of the bottom of theforepart of the shoe, said units each comprising flexible plates mountedin superposed contiguous relation with one of said plates in position toengage the overlaid margin of the upper and the other one of said plateshaving a plurality of inwardly extending spring fingers for supportingsaid shoe-engaging plate, said shoe-engaging plates having toe-engagingportions provided with substantially straight inner edges arranged tocontact with each other to limit their inward movements, and anotherflexible plate movable widthwise of the shoe with one of saidshoe-engaging plates and arranged to bridge the space between the inneredges of the toe-engaging portions of said shoe-engaging plates and toengage the corresponding marginal portion of the upper during the inwardmovement of said shoe-engaging plates.

28. In means for ironing the bottoms of shoes, ironing units movabletoward each other laterally of a shoe to iron the overlaid marginalportion of the upper along the opposite sides of the bottom of the shoe,said units each comprising a relatively thin shoe-engaging plate ofresilient metal and a plurality of heavy spring fingers for supportingsaid shoe-engaging plate, said spring fingers being yieldable heightwiseof the shoe to force said shoe-engaging plates into conformity to thecontour of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe on saidshoe-engaging plates.

29. In means for ironing the bottoms of shoes, ironing units movabletoward each other laterally of a shoe to iron the overlaid margin of theupper along the opposite sides of the bottom of the shoe, said unitseach comprising a relatively thin shoe-engaging plate of resilient metaland a plurality of substantially U-shaped springs for supporting saidshoe-engaging plate, said U- shaped springs being yieldableindependently of one another to force the shoe-engaging plate intoconformity to the contour of the shoe in response to pressure of theshoe on said shoe-engaging plate.

30. In means for ironing the bottoms of shoes, ironing units movabletoward each other laterally of a shoe to iron the overlaid margin of theupper along the opposite sides of the bottom of the shoe, said unitseach comprising a shoe-engaging plate of resilient metal, a plurality ofsubstantially U-shaped springs for forcing said shoe-engaging plate intoconformity to the contour of the shoe in response to pressure of theshoe on said shoe-engaging plate, and a plurality of compression springsacting through said U-shaped springs to increase the pressure of saidshoe-engaging plate on the shoe.

SIDNEY J. FINN.

